Mounting for rigid disk assembly



April 2, 1957 w' J' "TWER 2,787,105

MOUNTING FIOR RIGID DISK ASSEMBLY Filed May 4. 19,54 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Agoo- F\G. 1 JNVENToR. WALLACEJWWWER ATTORNEY,

April 2, 1957 -W J- WTWER 2,787,105

MOUNTING FOR RIGID DISK ASSEMBLY Filed May 4, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

F G. 5 lx/ALLALE Wn-WER ATTOR NEYS.

April 2, 1957 w. J. WITWER 2,787,105

MOUNIIN FOR RIGID DISK ASSEMBLY Filed May 4, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN TOR.

ATTORNEYS.

MQUNTENG FOR RIGID DISK ASSEMBLY Wallace J. Witwer, Galion, hio,assigner to The Cobey Corporation, Galion, Ohio, a corporation of (IihioAppiication May 4, 1954, Serial No. 427,555

ii Claims. (Cl. 55-73) The present invention relates generally to diskplows and harrows used for soil treatment in farming operations, andmore particularly to the mounting of 'a rigid disk assembly.

It is a well known practice in agricultural operations to employ diskplows and disk harrows for breaking and turning soil. Devices for thispurpose are well known in the prior art and normally consist of gangs ofhorizontally-spaced disks which are mounted in a frame structure anddrawn across the soil by horse or tractor. The gangs are mounted so asto have comparatively free Vertical movement relatively to each otherand remain in constant engagement with the ground.

It is also customary for devices of this nature to have four gangs ofdisks arranged in sets of two gangs each suitably angled relatively toeach other. These devices are generally referred to as flexible diskplows.

Further development and improvement in disk plows has resulted inheavier frame assemblies which are mounted on wheels which can be raisedor lowered to cause engagement or disengagement of the disks with theground. in these devices the gangs of disks are rigidly secured to theframe and have no free movement relatively to the frame or to eachother. Devices of this type are therefore designated rigid disks incontrast to the eXi- `ble `disks heretofore described.

Raising and lowering of the wheels in rigid disk devices is customarilyaccomplished by a hydraulic cyline der which is mounted on top of theframe.

`inasmuch as the depth of penetration of the disks is governed by theirangularity to their direction of travel, it is desirable that theangularity be Variable. For this reason gangs of rigid disks aregenerally not welded to the frame structure, but are rigidly secured bynuts and bolts so that angularity of the gangs can be changed whennecessary.

Although the rigid disk has many advantages over the eXible disk, oneserious drawback to its use lies in the fact that the rigidity of thedisk mounting causes the device to be very susceptible `to breakage asthere is no give in the structure. This results in breakage of the diskblades, the spindle bolts, or the gang frame structure when the deviceis jarred by heavy rocks or similar obstructions in the soil. j

'it is a primary object of my invention to provide a iioating mountingfor rigid disks, which mounting will yield when the disk plow encountersan obstruction, thereby avoiding unnecessary breakage of the kind abovedescribed.

Another object of my invention is to provide a rigid disk plow havingmeans for effecting angular adjustment of the gangs quickly without theuse of tools.`

Still another object of my invention is to provide a` device of thecharacter described in which the hydraulic cylinder is mounted below thelevel of the frame so as to provide a substantially unobstructed at areawhich can be utilized for mounting a wagon body or the like.

A further object of my invention is to provide a mountired States PatentC ing structure of the character described which is adaptable to avariety of agricultural uses.

Another object of my invention is to provide a disk gang structure whichis designed for maximum efficiency in tillage operations.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent during thecourse of the following description. in the accompanying drawingsforming; a part of this specification and in which like numerals areemployed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. l is a plan view of a rigid disk plow embodying the features of myinvention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the plow shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of a portion of the plow taken asindicated by line 3--3 of Fig. l, showing details of the elevatingmechanism;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional View taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2showing details of the mounting structure for the gang assemblies;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2showing further details of the mounting structure;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary View in elevation of one of the disk gangs,showing the manner of elevating the disks relatively to each other foruniformity of depth penetration;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic View of a disk blade showing the relationshipof disk angularity to maximum cutting depth; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary View showing the manner of mounting a wagon bodyon the implement frame.

Referring more particularly to Figs. l, 2 and 3 of the drawings, thedevice is seen to comprise a welded rectangular frame 1t), 11, 12, 13and 14. Secured to the members 11 and i2 as by welding, and traversingthe frame is a drawbar 15 which projects well beyond the member 11 andhas a suitable tongue 16 at its free end for connection to a prime moversuch as a tractor.

Suitable reinforcing members 17 and 1li are secured, as by welding, tothe frame 16 and the drawbar 16, so as to properly distribute thestresses placed upon the frame structure.

Apertured plates 19 are secured in alignment on opposite sides of thedrawbar 15 and on each of the members 13 and 14 to support a rotatabletubular shaft 20 which is journalled in the plates, and which projectsbeyond the side members 13 and 14. To each end of shaft 2t) is fixedlysecured a lever arm 21 which extends angularly downward relatively tothe horizontal frame members. A stub shaft or spindle 22 is secured tothe free end of lever arm 21 and has mounted thereon a rubbertired wheel23.

Rigidly secured to the shaft 20 medianly thereof, so as to underlie thedrawbar 15, is a bifurcated lever arm 24 which also extends angularlydownward relatively to the horizontal frame members. The free end of thelever arm 2d is connected to the piston rod 25 of a hydraulic cylinder26 which is secured to a bracket 2-'7 on the underside of drawbar 15.

A suitable hose connection 28 is provided from the pressure source tothe cylinder 26.

As best seen in Figs. 2 and 3, it will be apparent that the frame 1G canbe raised or lowered in response to rotation of shaft 2t) actuated bylever arm 24 through piston rod 25, which causes wheels 23 to be raisedor lowered. Further reference to this elevating or lifting structurewill be made hereinafter.

Suspended from the frame i@ are four gangs of disks arranged in pairs intandem. The front gangs 29 are mounted to form an acute work angle,whereas the rear gangs 30 form an obtuse work angle.` Each disk gang Jconsists of a rod or shaft 31, which is rotatably journalled inhorizontally-spaced bearing blocks 32. The bearing blocks are supportedby vertically extending elements 33 which are secured to the carriage 34of the gang.

The carriage 34 Vconsists of two parallel b'oX members 35 to which aresecured, as by welding, a bearing plate V36 and connector plate 37 inhorizontally-spaced relationship; the connector plate being across oneend of the member 35 and the bearing plate being intermediate the endsof members 35, for a purpose which will be described.

Fixedly secured to the shaft 31 are a plurality of horizontally-spaceddisk blades 38 which are free to rotate upon contact with the ground.

As best seen in Figs. 4 and 5, each corner of the rectangular frame 10has secured thereto a pair of gusset plates 39 which are welded to theframe and which are each provided with a slot 40.

Rigidly secured to each bearing plate 36 of the disk Y gangs 29 and 3@is a vertically extending pivot pin 41 which projects .through thediagonally extending slots 49 in the plates 39 and extends slightlybeyond the uppermost of the pairs of plates. A releasable collar 42surmounts each pivot pin 41 and prevents withdrawal of the pin from theplates 3.9. The pin 41 is of such predeter- Amined length as to allow aclearance space 43 between the bearing plate 36 and the lowermost gussetplate 39 when the collar 42 is resting on the top plate 39. Thus, itwill be apparent that this connection permits both vertical and lateralVmovement of the gangs relatively to the frame. K

A pair of saddle members 44 are mounted slidably on the drawbarlS, eachsaddle member being movable lon,- gitudinally of the dravvbar.

The saddles have laterally extending ears 45 having elongated slots 46therein. Through each ear 45 projects a pivot pin 47 which is secured,as by welding, to each of the connector plates 37. The pin 47 issurmounted by a releasable collar 48 which prevents withdrawal of thepin from the ear V45.

The pin 47 is of such length as to provide a clearance 49 between plate57 and ear 45 when the collar 43 is resting on the ear. Thus, thisconnection of the gang to the frame likewise permits both vertical andlateral movement of the gangs.

Each saddle member 44 is apertured as at 50 and the drawbar 15 isprovided with longitudinallyfspaced openings 51 which can be selectivelyaligned with openings 5t? by slidably moving the saddles. By thrusting alocking rod 52 through the aligned openings the angularity of the diskgangs can be fixed and maintained at any one of several positions. ltwill be noted that each pair of gangs 29 or 30 is independentlyadjustable and that such adjustn ment can be accomplished quickly andeasily by a sliding movement of the saddle members 44.

In utilizing the disk plow, the drawbar l5 is connected to a prime moversuch as a tractor and the cylinder 26 is connected to a pressure sourceon the tractor through the hose 28.

ln transporting the plow to the area to be worked, the wheels 23 arelowered by the operator by actuation of the piston rod 25, causing thedisk gangsto be elevated above ground level as indicated in dottedoutline in Fig. 2.

When the work area is reached, the pressure on cylinder 26 is relievedpermitting the disk gangs 29, 30 to engage the ground and perform thedesired work. The lowermost gusset plates 39 then rest upon the bearingplates 36 thus stabilizing the frame and the gangs.

Should any of the disks 3S encounter a concealed obstruction, such as alarge rock, the floating mounting of the disk gang will permit the gangto yield and cushion the shock, instead of breaking as heretoforementioned.

When it is desired to adjust the angularity of a pair of gan-gs 29 or30, the wheels 23 `are lowered to the dotted line position of Fig. 2,thus elevating the disks. The locking rod SZ is then withdrawn and thesaddle 44 can easily be moved manualiy along the drawbar 15 to adjustthe angularity of a pair of gangs. No tools are required.

ln Fig. 6, i have shown a preferred form of disk gang arrangement which,l have found, overcomes some of the diiiiculty which has heretoforeexisted in obtaining uniiormity of action in the disk blades Sil of thegangs.

As is shown in Fig. l, the innermost disks 33 of each of the front gangs29 are in close proximity to each other, as is customary in the art.These innermost disks may be ouiy one or two inches apart at theirclosest points, whereas the remainder of the disks 38 on the gang areuniformly spaced axially from each other in increments of about sixinches or more. The fact that these innermost or adjacent disks, which Ihave designated 38a in Fig. 6, operate in opposition to each other insuch close proximity, causes these blades 33a to be subject to greaterground resistance than the other, more widely-spaced, blades There istherefore a strong tendency for the biades 38a to raise or liftthemselves, thus resulting in a non-uniform depth of cut.

As shown in Fig. 6, l have found that if the innermost disks Stia arearranged on the gangs so as to be at a lower elevation than the otherdisks 38, that the net etfect is to obtain a more effective diskingoperation. Therefore, as indicated by the line a-a, I suspend the disks,from the gang frame in a manner such that the innermost disk 38a is thelowermost of the gang, and preferably the remaining disks 38 are each ata progressively greater elevation from the ground line b-b. Inoperation, this arrangement of the disks will compensate for theincreased ground resistance which is encountered by disks 3S@ and willresult in a uniform depth of penetration. For best results, l have foundthat the disk 38a should be lower than'the outermost disk 38 by anamount equal to one-sixth to one-eighth the diameter of the disks 38.

In Fig. 7 I have illustrated the relationship which l have found existsbetween the angularity of the disk gangs and the maximum depth ofpenetration of the disks. The reference character 38 designates one ofthe disks of the gang 29 as it appears when viewed from above, as inFig. l. For purposes of illustration, the disk 38 may be said to have aradius of curvature'r of 22% inches and a diameter' of 16 inches. As ameans of comparison, the broken-line outline indicates a disk 38h whichis superimposed upon the illustration of the disk 38. The disk 38b hasthe same radius of curvature r as the disk 38, but is lager in diameter,say'l8 inches.

The disks are shown positioned normal to the line of draft d of theimplement, that is, the axis of rotation x of the disks is perpendicularto the direction of travel of the implement.

The radius r is drawn to intersect the disk 38 on the leading edgethereof. The line t is then drawn normal to r at the point ofintersection, and the line t therefore is tangent to the disk 38 at itsleading edge. The tangent t forms an acute angle p with the line ofdraft d.

l have found that the ymaximum depth penetration of a disk blade willoccur under conditions where the tangent r is parallel to the line ofdraft d. Thus, if the disk 38 is repositioned by rotating itcounter-clockwise p degrees, the line t will be parallel to line d andoptimum depth penetration will result.

it will be observed that, similarly, the larger disk blade 38h has acomparable tangent line t which forms the angle s at its intersectionwiththe line d. The angle s is larger than angle p. Thus, the 18 inchdisk 38h should be angled s degrees to Vobtain maximum depthpenetration.

Accordingly, by utilizing the above teaching, it is possible toestablish a critical angularity for maximum depth penetration for anyspecific disk gang assembly. ln constructing a di skiharrow ofthe typeherein described, l can thus establish or position one of'eachV oftheseries of openings Slto establish this critical angularity for the Idisk gangs Z9 and 30. Although it is not absolutely necessary, it ispreferable that such opening 51 be the same opening that limits themaximum degree of angularity to which the gangs can be adjusted.

Although I have referred throughout this description to a disk harrow,the mounting which I have described is readily adaptable to use inconnection with various forms of tillage tools such as pulverizerwheels, rotary hoes, spring tooth harrows or cultivators, and variouscombinations of such tools. This flexibility or versatility of themounting is one of its salient features and advantages. By loosening orremoving the collars 42 and 48 from the pivot pins 41 and 47, anyselected gang of disks 29 or 30 are freed from the rectangular frame 10,so that when the frame 10 is elevated, as by wheels 23, the freed gangsdrop out. While the frame 10 is thus elevated, another gang of tillagetools can be placed in position under the frame. Then the frame islowered and the collars 42 are resectu'ed. Thus a minimum of time andeiiort is required to interchange the gangs of tools or to adjust theangularity of the gangs.

lt will also be noted that by locating the cylinder 26 below framelevel, a wagon body or iiat bed can be mounted on the frame 10, ifdesired.

The wagon body W is mounted on the frame 10 and can be secured to theframe through use of the openings 40 after the tillage tools have beenremoved. The implement may thus be used as a cargo carrier which canconveniently be raised or lowered for loading purposes by means of thewheels 23. In Fig. 8 is shown a fragmentary view of the implementdisclosing the manner of mounting the wagon frame thereon, utilizingbolts 53.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention, herewith shownand described, are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, andthat various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may beresorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention, or thescope of the subjoined claims.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application,Serial No. 258,384, iiled Nov. 27, 1951, now forfeited, for Mounting forRigid Disk Assembly.

Having thus described my invention, l claim:

l. ln a harrow, a wheel mounted substantially rectangular verticallyadjustable rigid frame having a longitudinally extending drawbarpositioned between the side members of said frame, a plurality of rigidgang disks suspended from the corners of the frame, gusset plates oneach corner of the frame having slots therein, a bearing plate mediallypositioned at the top of each gang, a vertical pivot pin connecting thebearing plate and gusset plates for each gang extending through saidslots to permit a predetermined amount of free vertical and lateralmovement at the suspension connections, a slidable connection on thedrawbar, a connector plate at the inner end of each gang, ears on theslidable connector overlying the connector plates of adjacent pairs ofgangs, said ears having slots therethrough, and a vertical pivot pinconnecting said overlapped plates and ears and extending' through theslots to permit a predetermined amount of free vertical and lateralmovement between these parts.

2. ln an agricultural implement, the combination of a rigid rectangularframe, a longitudinally extending drawbar iixedly secured to the frontand rear members of said frame, a hat horizontal gusset plate tixedlysecured to each corner of said frame and having a diagonally extendingslot therein, a gang of soil tillage tools pivotally suspended from eachcorner of said frame, each of said gangs having a hat horizontal bearingplate xedly secured thereto and engageable in face-to-face relationshipwith said gusset plate, a pivot pin secured to said bearing plate andextending freely through said slot whereby each of said gangs has apredetermined rdegree of free vertical and lateral movement relativelyto the frame, a movable connector element slidably secured to saiddrawbar adjacent the inner ends of each pair of said gangs, a pair ofoppositely disposed laterally extending `drawbar fixedly secured to thefront and rear members of said trame, a flat horizontal bearing surfaceprovided on each corner of said frame, said bearing surface having adiagonally extending slot therein, a gang of tillage tools pivotallysecured to each corner of said frame, each gang having a at horizontalbearing plate iixedly secured thereto and engageable in face-to-'facerelationship with said bearing surface, a pivot pin secured to saidbearing plate and extending freely through said slot whereby each ofsaid gangs has a predetermined degree of free vertical tilting movelnentand free horizontal linear movement relatively to said trame, a movableconnector element slidably secured to said drawbar adjacent the innerends of each pair of said gangs, a slotted laterally extending earprovided on said connector element adjacent each of said gangs, a athorizontal connector plate secured to the inner end of each of saidgangs and engageable in face-to-face relationship with said ear, asecond pivot pin secured to said connector plate and extending freelythrough said slot in said ear whereby said connector plate has apredetermined degree of free vertical and lateral Vmovement relativelyto said ear, and means for releasably locking said connector elements inselected positions on said drawbar to effect angular adjustment of saidgangs.

4. In an agricultural implement, the combination of a rigid rectangularframe, a longitudinally extending drawbar element fixedly secured to thefront and rear members of said frame, a gang of tillage tools pivotallysuspended from each corner of said frame, a movable connector elementslidably secured to said drawbar element for axial movement thereon andpivotally connected to the adjacent ends of each pair of gangs, aslotted ilat horizontal bearing surface provided on each corner of saidframe in overlying relationship to each of said gangs, a slotted athorizontal bearing surface provided on said connector element inoverlying relationship to the adjacent ends of each pair of gangs, aflat horizontal bearing plate secured to each of said. gangs andengageable in face-to-face relationship with each of said bearingsurfaces to normally maintain said gangs in stabilized workingrelationship to the ground, and a pivot pin secured to each of saidbearing plates and extending slidably through each of said slottedbearing surfaces whereby each of said gangs has a predetermined degreeof free vertical and lateral movement relatively to said frame.

5. In an agricultural implement, the combination of a rigid rectangularframe, a longitudinally extending drawbar element tixedly secured to thefront and rear members of said frame medianly thereof, a connectorelement slidably secured to said drawbar element for axial movementthereon, a slotted ilat horizontal bearing surface provided on eachcorner of said frame, a slotted ilat horizontal bearing surfaceprovided] on said connector element, a gang of tillage tools pivotallysecured to each corner of said frame, the adjacent ends of each pair ofsaid gangs being pivotally secured to said connector element, a flathorizontal bearing plate secured to each of said gangs and engageable inface-to-face relationship with each of said bearing surfaces to normallymaintain each of said gangs in stabilized working relationship to theground, a vertical pivot pin secured to each of said bearing plates andprojecting slidably through each of said slotted bearing surfaceswhereby each of said gangs has a predetermined degree of free vertical'and lateral movement relatively to said frame,

and means for releasably locking said connector lelement in selected.positions on said drawbar to effect angular adjustment of 'said gangs.

6. In an agricultural implement, the combination of a rigid rectangularframe, a llongitudinally extending drawbar element lxedly secured to thefront and rear members of said frame medianly thereof, -a connectorelement slidably secured to said drawbar element for axial movementthereon, a slotted at horizontal bearing surface provided on each cornerof said frame, a slotted at horizontal bearing surface provided on saidconnector element, a gang ot tillage tools pivotally secured to eachcorner of said frame, the adjacent ends of each pair of said gangs beingpivotally secured to said connector element, a fflat horizontal bearingplate scoured to each of said gangs and engageable in face-tofacerelationship with each of said bearing surfaces to normally maintaineach of said gangs in stabilized workcured to each of said'bearingplatesandprojecting slid- Vably through each of said sloted bearing surfaceswhereby each of said gangs has a predetermined degree of free verticaland lateral movement relatively to said frame, means for releasablylocking said connector element in selected positions on said drawbar toeffect angular adjustment of said gangs, ground-engaging wheels securedto said frame, and means for adjusting the level of said framerelatively to said wheels.

7. In an agricultural implement, the combination of a rigid rectangularframe, a longitudinally extending drawbar xedly secured to said framemedianly thereof, a plurality of gangs of tillage tools, a bearing platepositioned at the top of each gang and engageable in faceto-facerelationship with said frame, connecting means pivotally and slidablysecuring each gang adjacent a corner of said frame for limited universalmovement relatively to said frame, a connector element slidably securedto said drawbar intermediate the adjacent ends of each pair of saidgangs, a second bearing plate positioned at thetop of each gang andengageable in faceto-face relationship with Vsaid connector element,second connecting means pivotally and slidably securing each gang tosaid connector element for vlimited universal movement relativelythereto, ground-engaging wheels supporting said frame, and actuatingmeans carried Aby said frame and operatively connected to Said wheels toraise and lower the same.

S. In an agricultural implement, the combination of a rigid rectangularframe, a longitudinally-extending drawbar tixedly secured to said framemedianly thereof, a pair or' gangs of tillage tools, a bearing plateprovided at the top of each of said gangs and engageable in faceto-facerelationship with said frame, means pivotally and slidably securing eachof said gangs adjacent a corner of said frame for limited universalmovement relatively to said frame, a connector element slidably securedto said drawbar intermediate .the adjacent ends of said pair of gangs, asecond bearing plate provided atthe top of each gang and engageable inface-to-face relationship with said said connector element, connectingmeans pivotally securing each of said gangs to said connector elementfor movement therewith, ground-engaging wheels carried by said frame,and actuating means oarried by said frame and operatively connected tosaid wheels to raise and lower the same. y

References Cited in the le ofthis patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1,147,281Trissel July 20, 1915 1,162,332 Buchanan et al. Nov. 30, 1915 1,370,774Abernathy Mar. 8, 1921 1,380,441 Truman June 7, 1921 `1,762,633 Johnsonet al June l0, 1930 '2,587,494 Love Feb. 26, 1952 2,606,414 Dyrr Aug.12, 1952 2,683,960 Love July 20, 19.54

OTHER REFERENCES Agricultural Engineering, pages 215, 216 and 217, June1939.

